Question
A three-year-old boy has had multiple seizures, including a febrile seizure at one year old, and has experienced nine episodes of convulsions so far. His temperatures in the last four episodes were 37.5, 37.5, 36, and 37 degrees respectively. How can we determine if these symptoms are indicative of epilepsy?
Answer
If a child only has high fever seizures during a fever, it may be due to the high body temperature stimulating the brain nerves. However, if seizures occur even when the body temperature is normal, then the possibility of epilepsy should be considered. Frequent fevers and seizures in children may develop into epilepsy. Epileptic seizures originate from abnormal discharges of certain neurons, with this bioelectricity spreading through physiological conduction pathways to affect nearby and distant brain regions. The abnormal discharge of neurons is mainly due to the obstruction of synthesis of neurotransmitters within neural cells and the impairment of normal release at synapses, failing to interact with postsynaptic membranes.